Newhaven Pupil Referral Unit

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 29 April 2025

This school puts the well-being of pupils at the heart of all decisions made. The school has high ambitions to prepare pupils for their futures. Staff get to know pupils very well. Pupils say that the staff 'understand us and listen to us'. Because of this, they feel happy and safe and trust that the adults will help and support them. Consequently, pupils' behaviour is mostly calm, and lessons proceed uninterrupted. The school encourages pupils to develop the 'relationships they need for life'. Through personalised mentoring, staff encourage pupils to be aspirational for themselves. Pupils are given opportunities to give back to their local community, such as working with residents at care homes on computer skills or helping to renovate local buildings. Pupils take part in a range of social activities, including sporting competitions, visiting the theatre or taking part in talent shows. As a result, for many pupils, their engagement with education and their social skills improve over time. The school prepares pupils for adulthood well. Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for themselves and others. Students in the sixth form are supported to take their driving test and to find paid employment. Pupils are taught about the dangers of substance misuse, knife crime and joining a gang. The student council help make decisions about school improvement and sit on interview panels to recruit new staff.

What the school should improve

• The effectiveness of teachers' checks on pupils' learning is variable. Sometimes, gaps in pupils' understanding and are not identified or addressed. Consequently, a few pupils are moved on to more complex learning too quickly and next steps are not precisely set. The school should ensure that it supports all staff to routinely check pupils' understanding effectively, so that pupils are helped to achieve as well as they can.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)